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Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RP - 4 members in 33 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
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33 triplogs
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May 20 2025
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
E M R P, AZ 
E M R P, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 20 2025
pseudalpineTriplogs 1,290
Hiking
Hiking
no photosets
Some feelings of oppression on the back nine. The heat and insufficient water does that, but the sandy section of Gadsden is such a buzz kill. Really the only enjoyable parts were the passes along the Rainbow Valley and Toothaker Trails. The rest was just MEH. Probably would be more fun on a mountain bike.
  9 archives
Apr 16 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,244
 Triplogs 1,742

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Apr 16 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,742
Mtn Biking13.90 Miles 1,489 AEG
Mtn Biking13.90 Miles   3 Hrs      7.51 mph
1,489 ft AEG   1 Hour   9 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
No plan ride this morning and ended up at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Parked the van someplace different taking advantage of the shade under the trees amongst the picnic tables along Casey Abbott drive behind the Nature Center. Started with a climb up Quail, Saddle, and Baseline to Rainbow Valley. Met a fellow who was agreeable to partnering up at the Dysart/Rainbow Valley intersection. So, Dan on his Stumpjumper and me on my Trance continued south on Rainbow Valley up the long, arduous climb to the Rainbow Valley high point and drop down to Toothaker. From there, north on Toothaker, Dysart east to Butterfield, south to Gadsden, Flycatcher, Gadsden, Butterfield north, Toothaker, Rainbow Valley, and finally, back on Quail. Had some good breaks chatting with Dan. It sure was a nice day to make a new friend on the trails.
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Apr 15 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,244
 Triplogs 1,742

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Trails, AZ 
EMRP Trails, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,742
Hiking4.10 Miles 573 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   53 Mns   2.67 mph
573 ft AEG      21 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Joined the Estrella Trailblazers (Fred, Nina, Carol, Kim) for a great little loop in EMRP this morning. Saw a couple of bikers and some hikers, one of which seemed to be in a grumpy mood. Too bad for her!
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Mar 27 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,244
 Triplogs 1,742

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Baseline Plus, AZ 
EMRP Baseline Plus, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 27 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,742
Hiking4.20 Miles 665 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   2 Hrs   3 Mns   2.38 mph
665 ft AEG      17 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Joined the Estrella Trailblazers for a hike on Estrella Mountain Regional Park trails this morning. The 9 of us started from the Nature Center then climbed Quail trail to Saddle, Baseline clockwise, bonus round the mountain loop, Toothaker over to the rodeo grounds to check out the construction progress, Rainbow Valley, Connector back to Saddle, Quail back to the Nature Center. Saw a couple of families and a girl with a cute hoo hoo poker-a-poo (I think that's what they're called)
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Feb 25 2025
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,244
 Triplogs 1,742

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ 
EMRP Nature Center Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 25 2025
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,742
Hiking4.30 Miles 595 AEG
Hiking4.30 Miles   2 Hrs   3 Mns   2.58 mph
595 ft AEG      23 Mns Break8 LBS Pack
 no routes
Met up with the Estrella Trailblazers for a hike from the Estrella Mountain Regional Park's Nature Center. It was Esther's 72nd birthday and special treats were promised at the end of the hike. We did a clockwise lollipop loop on Quail, Saddle, Baseline, Rainbow Valley, and back on Quail. 9 hikers total including myself. Saw a bunch of other hikers and a couple of bikers out on the trails. Perfect morning for a hike.
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Jan 09 2025
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 09 2025
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking4.10 Miles 741 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   1 Min   4.03 mph
741 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Mid morning hike. Looking for something short and close to home. It doesn’t get much shorter and closer than the Saddle Trail. Got to the Quail TH around 10:30. I ended up doing a convoluted loop involving the Baseline, Toothacher, Horseshoe and Gila Trails using the Saddle Trail as my entry point. Nothing too exciting. Saw a roadrunner on the drive in :) , but no wildlife on the trail. The trails were busier than I anticipated for a midday, midweek hike: 10 hikers.
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Mar 01 2024
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 01 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking4.24 Miles
Hiking4.24 Miles   1 Hour   2 Mns   4.10 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Morning hike in the Estrellas. Did a clockwise loop involving the Quail, Saddle, Baseline, Horseshoe and Rainbow. Sounds like a lot, but only did small portions on most of the hike. Trails were busy. Saw 16 hikers. No wildlife. Great temps. A little smoggy so the views were not the best.
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Nov 13 2023
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 Routes 189
 Photos 7,244
 Triplogs 1,742

57 male
 Joined Apr 25 2011
 Goodyear, AZ
Baseline Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 13 2023
NightstalkerTriplogs 1,742
Hiking3.49 Miles 446 AEG
Hiking3.49 Miles   1 Hour   20 Mns   2.62 mph
446 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 
no photosets
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Solo hike this morning. Parked at Quail trailhead and did a clockwise loop on Quail, Saddle, Baseline, Rainbow Valley, back on Quail. Saw 7 other hikers, no bikers.
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Jun 17 2023
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Jun 17 2023
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Run/Jog3.29 Miles
Run/Jog3.29 Miles      39 Mns   5.06 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Midday outing in the Estrellas. Got to the TH just after noon. Did a lasso. In on the Quail and then went clockwise on the Saddle, Baseline, Toothacher, Rainbow Valley and then back on the Quail. With all those trails it sounds like a lot, but most trail stints were .5 miles or less. This is one of my go to loops when I’m looking for a quickie. Close to home. Minimal mileage with some easy elevation change. No surprise; very dry and brown out there. Needed a helmet and goggles out there. Grasshoppers were active. I had more than a couple run into as I jogged by. No other wildlife and no other trail users.
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Nov 21 2021
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Nov 21 2021
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Run/Jog3.13 Miles
Run/Jog3.13 Miles      36 Mns   5.22 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short mid morning run in the Estrellas. Got to the Quail TH a little after 10am. Did a short lasso that briefly touched a lot of trails. In on the Quail - Saddle - Baseline - Toothacher - Rainbow - And then back on the Quail. Only trails that 8 did completely were Saddle and Quail. Nice loop. Some minor elevation gain, ideal for my level of running, and the distance gives me a workout without taking much time.encountered 2 runners and 3 hikers. Temps were perfect!
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Jul 21 2020
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Jul 21 2020
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Run/Jog2.40 Miles
Run/Jog2.40 Miles      30 Mns   4.80 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After work jog. Short loop starting from the Quail Trail TH. Went in on the Quail - Saddle - Baseline - connector trail to Rainbow and then back on the Quail Trail. I had done this loop a couple of times over the years, but apparently I shortened it by about .5 miles by taking the "first right" while on the Baseline (this was the connector trail) instead of continuing on to where the Toothacher starts. Not a huge change. My goal was the Saddle trail. No wildlife and no other activity in the park. I did have to use my pass to get into the park. I was surprised by that. Typically on days like this no be mans the booth and they rely on the honor system.
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Dec 07 2019
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 Guides 8
 Routes 12
 Photos 1,918
 Triplogs 662

39 female
 Joined Dec 02 2009
 Grand Canyon
Quail Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 07 2019
HippyTriplogs 662
Hiking12.40 Miles 1,923 AEG
Hiking12.40 Miles   4 Hrs      3.28 mph
1,923 ft AEG      13 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Got a small group of friends together for a short 8 mile hike today. We were going to do the Rainbow Valley Toothaker loopbut opted to keep going out to Coldwater.
"It'll only add a mile and a half" we said :lol:

I brought my older sister along thinking 8 miles wouldn't be too hard on her as she hasn't done any significant hiking in like a decade. I'm so proud of how well she hung with us. We slowed our pace for sure but she rocked the full 11 miles!

Started at Quail Trail - Rainbow Valley - Toothaker - Coldwater - Butterfield - Baseline -Saddle - Quail.

Beautiful day for a bit of mileage. I think I owe my sister a stiff drink though haha
Added another log to our 100 miles in 100 day challenge for Maricopa County Parks.
I'm so happy sister is in on this and I'm really enjoying hiking with her every week! Yay hiking fam!
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  1 archive
Aug 31 2019
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 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Horseshoe Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 31 2019
DarthStillerTriplogs 857
Hiking8.90 Miles 961 AEG
Hiking8.90 Miles   3 Hrs   50 Mns   2.32 mph
961 ft AEG
 
1st trip
I wanted to make another trip out to the Estrella park to finish recording the trails there. I hadn't ever hike the newly built Gila and Horseshoe Trails, and there was a section of the Dysart Trail I hadn't hiked recently. Got all those done and recorded on my GPS. Nothing interesting to note. Saw more hikers than bikers overall, which was unusual. After 9am, didn't see anyone. The southern spur on the Gila Trail loop is noted as part of the Gila Trail according to the signage in the park. Finished about 10:30am. Weather was more humid than hot, but it was still hot. Breezes helped a lot, but they were few and far between. Surprised that I almost got 1000' AEG.
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Aug 14 2019
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Aug 14 2019
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Run/Jog3.15 Miles
Run/Jog3.15 Miles      37 Mns   5.11 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short after work jog in the Estrellas. Got on the trail a little after 4 and did a short lasso....in on the Quail and then went clockwise on the following trails: Saddle - Baseline- Toothacher - Rainbow Valley - and then Quail back to the TH. Nice little loop with some decent ups and downs. Warm day with very little wind, but not as bad as I thought it would be. No wildlife.
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Sep 27 2018
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 27 2018
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking3.11 Miles
Hiking3.11 Miles      35 Mns   5.33 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Short after work run. Went out to the Estrellas and did a loop involving Quail - Saddle - Baseline - Toothacher - Rainbow Valley and then back to the TH on the Quail. May sound like a lot but the only trails I did completely were the Saddle and Quail. The other trails were only short segments. Nice loop with only a little bit of elevation change and it was fairly gradual when it happened. Noticed that the park has changed its policy so that it locks that gates at night. This use to be the only Maricopa park (that I knew of) that didn't lock down for night. :( Had the trails to myself, but I did quite a few small lizards and a couple of road runners. That's always a treat :)
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Oct 22 2017
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 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Quail Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 22 2017
DarthStillerTriplogs 857
Hiking9.50 Miles 1,065 AEG
Hiking9.50 Miles   3 Hrs   39 Mns   2.60 mph
1,065 ft AEG
 
1st trip
With another late kickoff for the Steelers, I decided to get a quick morning hike in again. Took a ride out to Estrella Mtn Park again to do the trails there again. I got a new camera to replace my old one, which appears to have officially died. I played with it a little bit to compare some of the settings and used the 50x zoom on some far away hills.

I started from the Quail Trail, then took the Rainbow Valley south to the Dysart Trail, then east and went north on the Butterfield Trail, then headed back to the TH along the Toothaker, Baseline and Saddle Trails. Saw only a few hikers. There were probably more combined bikers, trail runners, and horse riders. Didn't get a chance to use my zoom on any interesting animals. Finished up just after 10am and headed home.
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Jul 09 2017
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 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Toothaker Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2017
DarthStillerTriplogs 857
Hiking10.50 Miles 1,020 AEG
Hiking10.50 Miles   4 Hrs   4 Mns   2.58 mph
1,020 ft AEG
 
1st trip
I haven't been to this park in over 15 years. Crazy how time goes so fast. On the other hand, I hiked trails I know I've hiked before and have nearly no memory of them now. So this is like discovering an entire new set of trails that I can hike over again. :y: Plus, I can now log them on HAZ and record them on my GPS and store that in my computer.

I got a 6:30am start at the spur trail for the Baseline Trail from Ramada 6 inside the park. The Baseline Trail has the most elevation gain of all the trails I did today, so it was a lot of climbing right at the start, and then some right at the end of a 10 mile slog in the heat. Actually, the heat wasn't too bad today, but it was noticeable. It also seems like the humidity is starting to creep in with the monsoon as the sweat didn't evaporate away like it normally does.

From the Baseline Trail I did a short segment of the Saddle Trail over to the Toothaker. I took the Toothaker all the way to its terminus, then took a short segment of the Dysart of the Coldwater and headed back. Once the Coldwater reaches the open equestrian lot, it turns into a wide open dirt road, which I wasn't very thrilled with, nor do I have any memory of it 15 years ago. The consolation was that I saw a coyote from there running southbound away from the rodeo arena.

From the Coldwater I took the Butterfield to the Toothaker, then headed back on the eastern half of the Baseline loop. The last climb on the Baseline was the steepest climb of the day, and when I was most spent from the heat and hiking 10 miles already. Saw some signs along the north half of the Baseline loop noting that there are currently bees nests along the trail. Seemed like one was inside the filled in mine shaft right next to the trail.

Once I got back to the car, I saw another coyote walking right along the asphalt road. Seems like they're staying near the amenities, must be some water nearby they're getting.
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Feb 26 2016
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 Triplogs 428

72 male
 Joined Mar 05 2013
 Payson, AZ
Quail Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 26 2016
mtabbertTriplogs 428
Hiking5.00 Miles 550 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
550 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
First hike with the CantaMia Hiking Club.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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  2 archives
Apr 02 2015
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Saddle Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 02 2015
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking0.60 Miles
Hiking0.60 Miles
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Very short hike with family. Did an in and out from the Quail TH to the end of the Saddle Trail. Didn't have my Garmin with me, but I don't believe it was much over . 5 miles. Not as exactly what I was expecting, but when your with family you take what you can get. Temps were very nice, but air quality seemed poor. No wildlife seen.
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Feb 02 2015
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 Triplogs 40

42 male
 Joined Sep 04 2014
 Goodyear, AZ
Rainbow Valley Trail - Estrella Mtn RPPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 02 2015
RunMuleTriplogs 40
Hiking8.00 Miles 640 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   5.33 mph
640 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Started at quail trail up to rainbow then down toothaker to baseline and saddle back to car. The fog made the run great and was able to watch the sunrise from the highest point on the rainbow trail!!
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average hiking speed 2.54 mph
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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